Leonardo to upgrade Canadian AW101/CH-149 Cormorant SAR helicopters
Image courtesy Leonardo
This contract (announced 22nd December 2022) will enhance the aircraft’s systems and technologies, ensure compliance with emerging airspace requirements, extend the life expectancy of the fleet to 2042+ and enable the return of Cormorant helicopters to the Main Operating Base (MOB) Trenton.
After distinguished 20-years of service life, the CH-149 Cormorant fleet will now undergo a mid-life upgrade, further to Team Cormorant’s proposition.
The team is a collaboration of Leonardo and is supported by its principle Canadian subcontractor IMP Aerospace and Defence together with GE Canada, and Collins Aerospace Canada. The majority of the CMLU work will be performed in Canada, primarily at IMP’s Halifax, Nova Scotia. facilities.
The CH-149 Cormorant fleet has been providing reliable and crucial service to Canada since 2001 and requires upgrades to remain operationally effective. Through the contract with Leonardo UK Ltd., Canada will upgrade its current fleet to the most advanced version of the helicopter and acquire additional airframes/parts to increase the fleet's size from 13 to 16 aircraft. This will ensure Canada can continue to perform SAR operations from Comox, British Columbia, Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador, Greenwood, Nova Scotia and add to its SAR capacity from Trenton, Ontario.
Anita Anand, Minister of National Defence, Canada, said: “The top item in my mandate letter from the Prime Minister is to ensure that the Canadian Armed Forces has the capabilities, equipment and culture needed to implement the objectives in our Defence Policy. The CH-149 Cormorant helicopter is a critical asset for search and rescue operations in Canada – and these contracts provide the best solution for Canada to upgrade its fleet and provide the accompanying training tools to our aviators so that they can continue to keep Canadians safe – now and in the years to come.”
Helena Jaczek, Minister of Public Services and Procurement, Canada, said: “I am pleased that today’s contract award announcement to CAE Inc. and Leonardo UK Ltd will enable our government to continue to provide the Royal Canadian Air Force and its members with the advanced equipment they need to do their job, at the best value for Canadians.”
François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Canada, said: “Through these contracts, our government will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment it needs while ensuring long-term economic benefits for Canadians. This procurement will advance Canadian innovation in our world-class defence and aerospace industries while creating jobs and contributing to economic growth in Canada.”
The CMLU Project will transition Canada’s AW101/CH-149 'Cormorant' SAR helicopter fleet to the latest standard currently being delivered for SAR in Norway and arguably the best search and rescue helicopter in the world. The CMLU Project will include; state-of-the-art avionics, a new glass cockpit, more powerful digitally-controlled engines, wireless in-cabin communications, the latest SAR sensors including Electro Optical Infra-Red device and Mobile Phone Detection Location System – enabling less search and more rescue.
Alessandro Profumo, CEO, Leonardo, commented: “Leonardo is proud to lead with our Team Cormorant partners the AW101/CH-149 'Cormorant' Search and Rescue helicopter fleet upgrade as announced by the Canadian Government. With the Cormorant helicopter the Government is getting the right equipment for the Canadian Forces, at the best price for Canadians, with the right benefits for Canadian industry.”
Gian Piero Cutillo, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters, stated: “The AW101/CH-149 'Cormorant' Search and Rescue helicopter fleet will provide the Royal Canadian Air Force with the sustainment of a robust, high-tech all weather SAR capability across Canada. The CMLU programme through Team Cormorant will reduce the cost of fleet ownership, while further increasing reliability, capability and safety for Canadian people.”
In July 2022 there was the first operational flight anniversary of the Cormorant, which took place in 2002 and the first delivery took place in October 2001. The fleet has now achieved in excess of 100,000 flight hours.
The AW101 offers long-range, large capacity and advanced technology. Over 220 AW101 helicopters have been ordered by customers worldwide to perform a large number of roles including SAR, Combat SAR, Personnel Recovery, Special Forces Operations, utility, troop transport, Anti-Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Airborne Early Warning, mine sweeping. The global fleet has exceeded 500,000 flight hours in operations from the Arctic to the Antarctic.
